Chris Combs, guitarist, composer and member of the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, offers his debut solo album, Combsy. Based out of Tulsa, OK, Combs has written, arranged and produced the album in its entirety.
With influences like Charles Mingus, Madlib, George Harrison, James Blake, J Dilla, Radiohead, Marc Ribot, Combsyis a lush, groove-heavy album that under the careful watch of Combs shows a tremendous amount of emotional depth and maturity as an artist. Combsy may be a debut, but there’s nothing amateur about it. Combs deftly sources jazz, hip-hop, electronic and rock genres in creating a sonic landscape that is all his own.
Combsy layers horns and rhythm instruments in a rich, nuanced fashion that allows space for Combs’ guitar work. At times, the bandleader and architect of this project uses his playing to give direction or cues for change, while at others, he takes the opportunity of the space created to spread out and explore. Although far from careful, Combsy comes to the ear as curated and intentional and with a healthy sense of both the history and future of the genre.
Primarily tracked in October 2016, the core tracks were recorded live as a trio to 2" tape at Fellowship Hall in Little Rock, AR with Aaron Boehler (bass) and Andrew Bones on (drums, vibraphone).
Combs then took those recordings on a swampy journey to New Orleans where horns were added. At Marigny Studio, Combs added Brad Walker (tenor sax, Sturgill Simpson), Dan Oestreicher (bass and bari sax, Trombone Shorty), Carly Meyers (trombone, Roar). With all components in place, Combs finished the project in his home studio.
Combsy will be released on Horton Records in the fall of 2017.
Do Not Miss Combsy On Tour This Fall
Oct 13 - Fassler Hall - Tulsa, OK*
Oct 14 - The Deli - Norman, OK*
Oct 15 - Guthrie Green - Tulsa, OK*
Oct 20 - Mag's - New Orleans*
Oct 21 – Marigny Studios (Live Album Recording) – New Orleans, LA
Oct 23 - Instant Opus at Hi Ho - New Orleans
Oct 27 - Private Party
Oct 28 – Saints – Oklahoma City, OK +
Nov 3 - Zinco - Mexico City, MX^
Nov 4 - Jazzatlan - Cholula, MX^
Nov 11 - Cains Ballroom - Tulsa, OK
Nov 13 - 20 west coast
Nov 16 – The Ship – Kansas City, MO
Nov 25 – Frank & Lola’s – Bartlesville, OK
* with Brian Haas Love Amalgam ft AnnIe Ellicott
^ with Todd Clouser
+ with Culture Cinematic